Chanting ‘Bharat Mata’ is a right but it should not be forced: UP khap

The panchayat was held with members from 84 villages on Saturday. Chaudhary Yaspal Singh, a senior member of the khap and resident of Bijraul village, said, “At least 20 Muslim gave their lives during the first freedom struggle in 1857. How can we question their loyalty for the country? People of India have a right to say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, but it should not be forced. We decided not to support the people who are forcing people to say or not say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.”

[related-post]

“We don’t want any disturbance. We condemn all those who are benefiting by making sloganeering an issue. First a Hindu institution asks everybody to say Bharat Mata ki Jai, then a Muslim institution issues fatwa to not say it. This should be stopped,” said Iqbal Singh, another member of the panchayat. “After complaints of rumour-mongering, we decided to hold the meeting.”